State of Pakistan Population Report 2025

Abstract

Pakistan stands at a pivotal moment in its demographic journey, one defined by profound challenges, but also by the promise of transformative opportunity. As the nation navigates rapid population growth, a youthful age structure, and persistent inequalities, the implications for sustainable development, social cohesion, and national resilience have never been more consequential. This report, developed in partnership with the Centre of Excellence on Population and Wellbeing Studies (CePwS) at NUST, provides timely, evidence-based insights to guide policymakers, practitioners, and partners through this evolving landscape with clarity and purpose. Demographic shifts are not abstract statistics; they are lived realities shaping families, communities, and institutions every day. They influence the demand for education, health, employment, housing, and social protection, while affecting the pace of economic growth and the sustainability of our natural resources. Being the home to one of the world’s largest youth populations, Pakistan makes the stakes especially high. Harnessing the full potential of this demographic dividend requires sustained investment in learning, skills development, and decent work opportunities. Equally essential is ensuring that women and girls have the agency, rights, and opportunities necessary to participate fully and freely in societal progress. This report underscores the deep interconnections between population dynamics, human capital, and sustainable development. It calls for integrating demographic intelligence into national planning, strengthening data systems, and advancing policies that are inclusive, gender-responsive, and forward-looking. The analysis also highlights critical priorities, including expanding access to sexual and reproductive health services, reducing unmet need for family planning, and dismantling structural barriers that perpetuate inequality. A central dimension of this report is its focused exploration of reproductive health and fertility determinants across Pakistan’s diverse social and cultural landscape. Findings reveal how family structures, gender norms, and women’s autonomy shape fertility patterns. Nuclear families show higher fertility than joint families, while consanguineous marriages reflect distinct reproductive behaviors. Women with limited decision-making authority continue to face constraints in exercising reproductive choices, often accompanied by strong preferences for sons. Educational attainment emerges as a powerful determinant of autonomy, enabling women to pursue desired family sizes and make informed health decisions. These insights reaffirm that empowering women, socially, economically, and educationally, is essential to achieving equitable and sustainable demographic outcomes. The report further draws attention to the demographic impacts of climate change, an area where Pakistan faces escalating risks. Climate-related shocks disproportionately affect women, adolescents, and marginalized communities, intensifying vulnerabilities within an already strained system. Building demographic resilience, therefore, demands integrated, multisectoral strategies anchored in rights, equity, and institutional strength. The choices Pakistan makes today will define a demographic future rooted in opportunity, equity, and dignity. Realizing this vision requires strong leadership, sustained governance, and strategic investment in human capital, especially for women and youth. It also demands a collective commitment to ensuring that every individual, regardless of gender, geography, or socioeconomic status, has the agency and opportunity to realize their full potential. UNFPA remains steadfast in its partnership with Pakistan as the country advances its demographic and development agenda. Working alongside government institutions, academia, civil society, and development partners, we are dedicated to supporting policies that are inclusive, data-informed, and grounded in human dignity. Our commitment is to help translate demographic insights into meaningful policy action, delivering lasting impact for today’s citizens and for generations to come.